(19)

(11)

EP 1 450 968 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/36 (21) Application number: 02801825.7 (22) Date of filing: 18.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B08B 3/04, C23G 5/04, B01D 3/00, C02F 1/04 (86) International application number: PCT/CA2002/001580 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/035287 (01.05.2003 Gazette 2003/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 22.10.2001 US 330414 P (71) Applicant: UNI-RAM CORPORATION MarkhamOntario L3R 9T2 (CA)	(72) Inventor: YAMAMOTO, Soichiro Unionville, Ontario L6C 1B2 (CA) (74) Representative: Sanderson, Nigel Paul  Harrison Goddard FooteBelgrave Hall,Belgrave Street Leeds LS2 8DD Leeds LS2 8DD (GB)